It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
